The Rest Is Politics

What should we make of the Qatari bid to buy Manchester United? Why is Modi's government raiding the BBC offices in India? And why did Rory's appearance at the Bilderberg Meeting lead to claims he was part of a global lizard conspiracy? TRIP Plus: Become a member of The Rest Is Politics Plus to support the podcast, enjoy ad-free listening to both TRIP and Leading, benefit from discount book prices...

Who will be Nicola Sturgeon's successor as First Minister of Scotland? What does the future hold for Russia's relationship with the West? Is Boris Johnson staging a comeback? Alastair and Rory look at these topics, plus the role of biodiversity in ecological policy, the Northern Ireland protocol, China's role in bringing peace to Ukraine, and how relevant a politician's religious views are to thei...

Will Rory ever return to politics? How do MPs serve effectively from remote areas? Should Russia be allowed to compete in the Paris Olympics? Alastair and Rory cover these topics, plus the role of Cabinet Secretaries, Biden's State of the Union Address, and what it means to be a 'recovering politician'. TRIP Plus: Become a member of The Rest Is Politics Plus to support the podcast, enjoy ad-free l...

Why are ardent remainers and high profile eurosceptics meeting in secret to discuss our relationship with Europe? How has the earthquake in Turkey affected President Erdoğan politically? And why do MPs and members of the public have contrasting views on the death penalty? TRIP Plus: Become a member of The Rest Is Politics Plus to support the podcast, enjoy ad-free listening to both TRIP and Leadin...

What is the actual role of a diplomat? Would Brexit have had a different result if Labour was under Ed Miliband's leadership? How will artificial intelligence change our society? Rory and Alastair answer these questions and more in this week's Question Time episode. TRIP Plus: Become a member of The Rest Is Politics Plus to support the podcast, enjoy ad-free listening to both TRIP and Leading, ben...

Are Johnson and Truss on manoeuvres against Sunak? Has the Chinese spy balloon pushed US relations with Beijing to a dangerous place? And what's Rory been arguing about with Sandi Toksvig? TRIP Plus: Become a member of The Rest Is Politics Plus to support the podcast, enjoy ad-free listening to both TRIP and Leading, benefit from discount book prices on titles mentioned on the pod, join our Discor...

Are academics generally left-leaning? Should the theatrical nature of PMQs be reformed? What makes an MP 'talented'? Listen to hear these questions answered, plus positive stories about politicians, cultural recommendations, what makes an MP 'talented', and the relevance of vocational education. Leading: Have you heard this week's episode of Leading, where Alastair and Rory speak to one of Rory's...

After 100 days as PM, is Rishi Sunak’s power already waning? What happens behind the scenes of a high-profile resignation? Has the US pivoted away from its central involvement in the Israel-Palestine conflict? Alastair and Rory cover all the latest political news from both the UK and abroad in today's episode of The Rest Is Politics. Leading: This week on Leading, Rory and Alastair were joined by...

What do Rory, Mark Zuckerberg and Saif Gaddafi all have in common? Will we see a Labour revival in Scotland? Why haven't the CPS followed up over lockdown parties in Downing Street?  Rory and Alastair answer these questions and discuss the role social media played in Jacinda Ardern's resignation, the current situation in Haiti, and cultural recommendations for the week. TRIP Plus: Become a member...

Who gave Boris Johnson an £800k loan when he was PM? Is Nadhim Zahawi's political career over? Why is Russia on a charm offensive in Africa? Alastair and Rory cover all the latest political news from both the UK and abroad in today's episode of The Rest Is Politics. TRIP Plus: Become a member of The Rest Is Politics Plus to support the podcast, enjoy ad-free listening to both TRIP and Leading, joi...

Could Boris Johnson lose the Tory whip? Why are we paying so much for gas if wholesale prices are back to normal? Why did Joe Biden remove classified documents from the White House? Rory and Alastair answer these questions, along with systemic problems within the Metropolitan Police, misogyny in schools, the future of Labour, and Suella Braverman's latest controversy. Become a member of The Rest I...

Join Rory and Alastair as they discuss anti-strike legislation, the right to protest, the battle between the Scottish and UK government over gender recognition reform, the plight of women in Afghanistan, and more. TRIP Plus: Become a member of The Rest Is Politics Plus to support the podcast, enjoy ad-free listening, join the TRIP Plus Discord chatroom, and receive early access to live show ticket...

Rory and Alastair are launching a new podcast - 'Leading'!    Every Monday, Alastair and Rory are going to speak to people who are leading in their field. Whether they be presidents, policy makers, sports stars or religious leaders - Leading is going to be hosting the biggest names from many different walks of life. Today's guest is former Deputy Prime Minister, Michael Heseltine. One of the bigge...

**RORY AND ALASTAIR'S NEW PODCAST... The Rest Is Politics: Leading** Rory and Alastair are launching a new podcast - 'Leading'! Starting on Monday 16th January, a weekly episode will be released where they speak to captivating individuals - from both inside and outside of politics - about life, leadership, and leading the way in their chosen field. As you'll hear in the excerpt at the end of this...

Join Rory and Alastair as they record in person from Soho, discussing the fallout from Prince Harry's new book, the failed coup against Lula in Brazil, how the NHS could look to the Netherlands for reform, ghost writers, the Czech Republic, Myanmar, and much, much more. Show notes: Amanda Marcotte - The Conversation - 'Call it the Conspiracy Theory Congress: Things are about to get dangerously wei...

Join Rory and Alastair this week as they discuss what Alastair has described as ‘one of the best pieces of communication he has ever seen’, the definition of populism, and their controversial predictions for the year ahead. Become a member of The Rest Is Politics Plus to support the podcast, enjoy ad-free listening, join the TRIP Plus Discord chatroom, and receive early access to live show tickets...

In our first podcast of 2023, Rory and Alastair discuss the NHS in crisis and how government investment needs to be coupled with structural reform. There's also a look back at Alastair's diaries during the transfer of power from Tony Blair to Gordon Brown, and an analysis of newly-released documents from the National Archives. Show notes: Ian Kennedy, 'The NHS Dream is Dying', The New European, 08...

Join Alastair and Rory for a bonus episode as they discuss their political predictions for 2023! Become a member of The Rest Is Politics Plus to support the podcast, enjoy ad-free listening, and receive early access to live show tickets and Question Time episodes. Just head to therestispolitics.com to sign up. Instagram: @restispolitics Twitter: @RestIsPolitics Email: restispolitics@gmail.com Prod...

Rory and Alastair are here to discuss the highs and lows of a wild year in politics... Who was their most outstanding politician? What was the most surprising moment of the year? Who was the biggest villain of 2022? Listen to hear Rory and Alastair answer these questions and many more, with the help of a surprise guest who provides some guidance in this special political awards show. TRIP Plus: Be...

Join Rory and Alastair in this week's episode of Question Time, as they discuss the prevalence of drugs in Parliament, Norway's sovereign wealth fund, Macron's relationship with the Pope, Alastair's swimming tips, and much more. Become a member of The Rest Is Politics Plus to support the podcast, enjoy ad-free listening, and receive early access to live show tickets and Question Time episodes. Jus...

Join Rory and Alastair as they discuss the end of the World Cup and the soft power that comes with it, rising tensions between Kosovo and Serbia, Rory's experiences as Prisons Minister, and the challenge the government faces regarding prison reform. TRIP Plus: Become a member of The Rest Is Politics Plus to support the podcast, enjoy ad-free listening, and receive early access to live show tickets...

In today’s Question Time podcast, Rory and Alastair review the new Harry and Meghan documentary, discuss how we can improve our National Anthem, and analyse the political chaos in Latin America. Become a member of The Rest Is Politics Plus to support the podcast, enjoy ad-free listening, and receive early access to live show tickets and Question Time episodes. Just head to therestispolitics.com to...

Join Rory and Alastair as they discuss the strikes taking place across Britain, the debate on assisted suicide, and how prisoner swaps come about. TRIP Plus: Become a member of The Rest Is Politics Plus to support the podcast, enjoy ad-free listening, and receive early access to live show tickets and Question Time episodes. Just head to therestispolitics.com to sign up. Instagram: @restispolitics...

Join Alastair and Rory this week as they discuss whether prisoners should be able to vote, the chances of a united Ireland, and what liberalism actually means. Become a member of The Rest Is Politics Plus to support the podcast, enjoy ad-free listening, and receive early access to live show tickets and Question Time episodes. Just head to therestispolitics.com to sign up. Instagram: @restispoliti...

Join Alastair and Rory as they discuss Gordon Brown and Keir Starmer's latest proposals, the post-presidential life of George W. Bush, why so many MPs are standing down at the next election, and the mysterious story about South African President Cyril Ramaphosa's sofa... TRIP Plus: Become a member of The Rest Is Politics Plus to support the podcast, enjoy ad-free listening, and receive early acces...